What is Prayer?

Prayer is…well, it can be intimidating.

Especially if we think about and compare our prayers to the great prayer warriors in our church. The words of my prayers are more like stray threads than the beautifully woven tapestry of others. My prayers tend toward short and simplistic. Hey, I’m a person of few words.

And yet…

At a recent Priscilla Shirer simulcast, there were several “Prayer Experiences” intertwined throughout the program. I thought they would be great learning tools on prayer. A prayer “how to” if you will. Because I can always use some prayer learnin’, how about you?

That wasn’t it at all. The time spent in prayer – actual prayer, not Prayer 101 – was all of us joining our voices to pray for and with others. We prayed for our marriages, freedom from addictions, health, our very lives. There was a moment when I heard the young woman next to me interceding so fervently and passionately, that I felt inadequate and at a loss. My words stopped. Then I began praying with her.

One word at a time.

“Lord heal. Restore. Praise You Lord!”

I didn’t feel like a less than pray-er. Our voices raised in unity and our supplications were lifted to our mighty God.

Separately, we prayed together.

Though the words of our prayers may seem weak and ineffective, praying is powerful. 

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” – Max Lucado

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 AMP

Keep praying!

Grace be with you,